With the possibility that Wakefield could win the minor league before we play our next game. We are in the unique position of been able to rest players for the playoffs and playing some young lads, to get 1st team experience.
Also putting any players with the slightest niggles on the treatment table and still having enough games to phase them back in, giving them a run out before the play offs.
With the 6 league games remaining, that is still just under a 1/4 of the season still to go. I know we the supporters would love to see them finish the season with just the one defeat, but maybe from a coaches view DP would like the squad to have a clean bill of health going in to the knockout games and looking at set plays and player formations.

I’m not against a couple of games to switch in some players like Smith, Booth, Lingard but in the couple of games running up to the playoffs consistency in squad selection will be important too.

Even with some rotation over a few of the games I would still be expecting a Trinity win.

Also, the last few games of the season is not the time to be introducing new set plays and formations. If anything that could upset the team who have been building all pre season and season to play a certain way.

As I said I’m not against a few getting some opportunity but it’s important we still build into the playoffs with strong performances and some consistency.

We are already doing that as we have Gale, Lino, Lawford, Bowden, Atoni, Vagana all missing for some time.

You have to earn your first team place under Powell so he isn't just going to switch the whole team but Smith and Shaw are clearly going to play.
With Shaw possibly injured Lingard may get his go next week.

And I agree with Trojan. Best team needs to be playing and building momentum before playoffs.

I'm sure we'll just stick with give it to Rodwell or Uele.

Crucially, another 0.25 IMG points almost in the bank.

I understood there were no IMG points for topping the table, only points for winning play off final. Could be wrong though.
Also Matt Ellis told supporters yesterday that we need to change our crappy 'big screen' and it's going to cost £50,000 to put right. So no points for that in its current state. That's down to the previous management's cost costing and not bothering to get a tape measure.

Yes, the handbook says Championship, not GF.

If you win the GF you are given 13th place in the league rankings, even if you actually finished the actual league lower down.

Did Ellis say when the screen would be replaced?

I can't imagine they'd leave it too late for the points.

The screen is buggered anyway with the blue tinge and missing pixels. Regardless of whether the screen is big enough or not the original supplier should cover some the cost.

Where there any other snippets about potential redevelopment of BV given out?

If they are changing the league positions, based on playoff final positions, I'd say it is logical to assume the 'winning the league' means winning the Grand Final, not coming top in the regular season.

I agree - it's certainly ambiguous, but if the points were for winning the GF, I'd write it that way...not everything IMG have said/meant is clear.

It must be for winning the league ladder - if it was for winning the GF, it would show the League Ranking score for 13th position as being = 2.8786, but it shows the consistent 0.11 spacings.

Gonna see if I can find an updated IMG Handbook...

Hang on...there was an update in June...

It says "Teams are awarded bonus points for winning the league and cup competitions (only applies to the current year). For clubs that reach the end of season play-offs their final performance ranking will be determined by how they progress in the play-offs."

The league competitions are distinct from the play-off comps, which are rewarded in the final League Ranking scores, so yes, 0.25 for winning the league ladder.

No other development details. However me must be livid at the amount of money he has had to spend to put right some of the mess inherited. Changing rooms had to be refitted, water,electricity to lights, screen etc and other stuff. Mybe this has eaten into his development budget, who knows

When and if we get all our forwards back I would like to see Rodwell play loose forward, he showed some really nice touches with the ball yesterday. DP seems to be working with the ethos of versatility so hopefully it will happen but clearly not at the moment.

Have we heard how long Gale is out for? DP in his press conference said that he had rolled his ankle, had it xrayed which showed no break.

The chance of clinching the league leaders shield should ensure a bumper crowd at The Shay on Sunday

Just getting back to the thread can’t quite see who we are resting _ seems to be we are down to naming virtually everyone of our fit players to make a squad of 17. Bigger issue is when are our established players coming back - vagana atoni lino all been out long term , uele Bowden gale been missing in recent weeks. Shaw looked like he’d picked up a bad injury yesterday.

Does anyone know when we are looking at any of the above being available ?
we are already in the playoffs and a win next week guarantees top finish now it’s all about the play off games and as fev know to their cost best team over the season doesn’t guarantee a grand final win

Good to see we can agree on ocassion too



Looking forward to a strong finish and a team firing on all cylinders come playoffs (hopefully most fit too).

I would hope if we get the LED boards done that the company could swing us a deal on an LED screen that meets standard if needed. Can’t afford to be dropping points as it could be the difference.

Curious to see if the screen was given points in last years score and if it was why not this year?

Rodwell can play 13. However for me Bain would be the obvious choice to move to 13. He has good hands and is very good defensively. He doesn’t quite offer the same post contact metres as Rodwell etc.

If it isn’t broke then don’t fix it. Rodwell is excelling at prop and personally I am very excited on seeing our rotating props next season.

Mckmeeken + Atoni

Replaced by

Uele + Rodwell

That is some serious go forward and firepower right there!

Obviously Vagana will be chomping at the bit too to force his way in.

That’s imho a top 6 SL set of props in the making.

The sooner we can get Griffin replaced with a returnee and pack rehash, the better. He's a constant liability with very little influence going forward.

Think that's a little harsh - ok he's been a little quiet recently but doesn't take long for the knives to come out does it!
Is he the latest scapegoat seeing as Lino hasn't been playing!!

From the recent games I’ve seen, the teams we’ve played for a 2nd time have learnt from the first game against them and basically put griffin out of the game by putting 2 players on that side tracking him, so he’s nut busting that first contact any more, he still make plenty of post contact meters and usually finds his front and gets a quick play of the ball

No scapegoating on Griffin, just getting fed up of his needless penalties especially as the team have generally cut right back on the errors and penalties over the last couple of games.